[Computed tomography study of the lower alveolar intra-mandibular nerve path].
BACKGROUND
It is mandatory to know the anatomic path of the lower alveolar nerve and its intramandibular connections for numerous odontology, stomatology, and maxillofacial surgeries. We present a computed tomography study of the lower alveolar nerve intramandibular path.


METHODS
The computed tomography of 14 mandibles was performed (vestibulolingual cross-section) and four landmarks were defined behind the mental foramen. At each landmark we measured the distance between the alveolar canal and the two cortical layers in the vestibulolingual plane, and the distance between the alveolar canal and the alveolar crest, and the inferior border of the mandible in the vertical plane.


RESULTS
In the vestibulolingual plane, the alveolar nerve is located close to the vestibular cortical layer, then to the lingual cortical before it exits. In the crestal plane, it is located at the superior third of the inferior border of the mandible.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of anatomical variability, there is a globally common path which must lead to the greatest caution by performing systematic imaging before any surgery close to the nerve.
Drikes
S
S
Service de chirurgie maxillofaciale et stomatologie, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France. sdrikes@hotmail.fr
Delcampe
P
P
Sabin
P
P
Lavis
J-F
JF
Cordier
G
G
Vacher
C
C
Péron
J-M
JM
D002680:Chin / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed